Ukraine crop output forecast to reach 100 million tonnes by 2020

KIEV, UKRAINE – Crop production in the Ukraine is expected to reach 100 million tonnes by 2020, with exports expected to climb to 70 million tonnes by that time, Ukrainian Grain Association President Mykola Gorbachev announced on Dec. 19.

The projected increase in output will be due to rising crop yield, said Gorbachev, noting that 10 years ago the highest yield figures were in the southern and central regions of the country, but now the western part of the country is delivering the highest yields due to a change in climatic conditions.

Ukraine's Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry announced on Dec. 11 that it has revised the country’s grain production forecast for 2017 upward by 300,000 tonnes, to 62.3 million tonnes.

In 2016, Ukraine produced 66 million tonnes of grain, according to the country’s State Statistics Service.